South Canterbury foothills flood warnings update 5.00 pm, May 24

Environment Canterbury river engineering staff and Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management staff are continuing to monitor the rain situation in South Canterbury. Currently only around 30 mm of rain has been recorded, however the forecast is for rain to intensify late tonight and all day tomorrow.

A meeting was held at Environment Canterbury’s Timaru office at 11 am today so that all parties could be appraised of the significance of the rain forecast and clarified their respective roles. Groups included Environment Canterbury river engineering staff, local territorial authority staff including those from Timaru District, Civil Defence, Fire Service, and Police.

“River engineering staff will be rostered on overnight and out and about at daybreak to check on river systems and also whether the mouths of the Washdyke and Saltwater Creeks are still open,” said Environment Canterbury Flood Controller Philip Lees. These creek mouths were opened earlier today as a precautionary measure, however wave action can often shut them again.

Civil Defence emergency managers will be monitoring the situation throughout the night.

Communities in low-lying areas at risk of flooding like Pareora huts and Milford are advised to be prepared.

Environment Canterbury has reiterated the need for farmers to shift stock in low-lying areas and be on alert and ready to move. Surface flooding of roads was another issue to be wary of. The Opuha Dam is currently low, at 11 metres below capacity, which is helpful, Mr Lees said.

It was a relative luxury for South Canterbury’s river watchers to have such a good warning of rain from the Metservice, he said. Normally, foothills rain arrived with just a few hours travel time from the hills to the coast and main highways and river communities, providing little warning or planning time.

In the southern area, from the North Otago ranges to the Canterbury foothills south of the Rangitata River, up to 250 mm of rain is forecast from tonight into tomorrow.

Environment Canterbury will be monitoring rain and river flows from its network of rain and river flow recorders through Monday and advising local emergency services. This rainfall and flow data will be available on the Environment Canterbury web site (www.ecan.govt.nz) and from the flood phone 0900 RIVER (74 837). Warnings will be broadcast over local radio stations as necessary.

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